Media Release

Mangaluru, May 31: While the lockdown over coronavirus outbreak has confined everyone within the four walls, many are using the internet and social media to explore their talents. In one such initiative, like-minded Konkani poets have come together to host 'Kavitha Sankall Challenge' with an aim to promote Konkani poetry on social media.

The initiative is the brainchild of Lenard Fernandes, a Konkani poet residing in Israel, who wanted to start a Konkani poetry recital on Facebook and challenge someone to continue the chain. Poet and Catholic priest Fr Jocy Siddakatte accepted the suggestion and presented the first poetry video in poetry page 'Kavitha Mattov' on Facebook. He initiated some twist in the show with simple rules. It stated that the person should recite another poet's poem and then challenge to 2-3 people to do the same.

Fr Jocy Siddakatte

Hence the 'Sankall', which means chain in Konkani, continued to connect hundreds of Konkani poetry lovers around the globe, from places that include Karnataka, Goa, Maharashtra, and countries such as the UAE, Israel, the United States of America, Kuwait and others.

Speaking to daijiworld, Fr Jocy said that in short span of two months the chain has connected almost a thousand people, with poetry lovers voluntarily participating. In the words of Phyllis Klein, "Turning to poetry, poetry gives rhythm to silence, light to darkness. In poetry we find the magic of metaphor, compactness of expression, use of the five senses and simplicity or complexity of meaning in a few lines." Above all, this initiative has created an awareness among the people about the richness of Konkani poetry.

Click on Kavitha Mattov Facebook page to meet the people who participated in Kavitha Sankall:

https://www.facebook.com/groups/478736949131555/ 

https://www.facebook.com/stephan.vamanjoor/videos/567021497552212/